Byrdstown, Tenn. (March 20, 2012) — Pickett Care & Rehabilitation Center (PCRC), one of 73 homes operated by Louisville, Ky.-based Signature HealthCARE, has been recognized as a leader in its field by being added to the registry of Eden Alternative homes.
The Eden Alternative is an international not-for-profit organization founded by Harvard-education physician William Thomas and based on the belief that aging is a period of continued growth and development rather than decline. The Eden Registry is an international support network dedicated to advancing culture change in nursing homes, in their states and countries.
As a member of the Registry, PCRC joins The Eden Alternative as a leader in the “culture change” movement in long-term care.  ”Culture change” is the common name for a global initiative focused on transforming care, as we know it, for elders and individuals living with disabilities. It advocates for a shift from institutional models of care to person-directed values and practices that put the person first. PCRC consistently demonstrates the core person-directed values of choice, dignity, respect, self-determination and purposeful living.
“The Eden Alternative is a belief system that that embraces our aging population and believes they should be the center of the decisions being made in the home,” said Angie McAllister, Regional Quality of Life Director for Signature.  We are proud to see our Pickett home embrace this philosophy and move towards changing the culture in their home even further. The Eden Alternative Registry is a honor roll for nursing homes, it takes great work and dedication along with a lengthy application process to be accepted.”
Research also shows that improving working conditions and the quality of work-life in long-term care environments is vital.  When direct care providers are nurtured, cared for, and respected, they provide better quality of care for Elders. Improving the way society provides long-term care will have a significant impact on many millions of Americans as the population ages and begins to rely more on the support of others to meet basic daily needs.
PCRC also has a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the highest rating a nursing home can earn from the federal agency.
“I am so proud that we are able to not only continue improving our quality of care through our involvement with the Eden Alternative, but also to be an example for others,” said PCRC Administrator Jeff Amonett. “Information-sharing and collaboration are key to advancing long-term care as a whole.”
For more information about the Eden Alternative, visit www.edenalt.org. For more information about Pickett Care & Rehab, visit www.pickettcare.com.